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A few children, having eaten their fill of candy, still gathered around Ye Fangfei, eagerly waiting to see if the young aunt had any more treats.
"Young aunt, I want more delicious food," one of them piped up. Bao had grown accustomed to being spoiled at home and simply opened his mouth, expecting more.
The eldest, Da Bao, was a bit older and remained silent, but his eyes were fixed on Ye Fangfei with anticipation. The two little girls from Tang Zhiwu's family stood by the kang, slightly shy but not moving away.
Usually, Zhang Man would have scolded the two girls by now. However, today she held her tongue. After all, if her own daughters were to be scolded, wouldn’t that just benefit the two boys from the eldest branch of the family? Despite her disdain for the girls, they were still her daughters.
"Want more delicious food? Young aunt has some snacks here, but these are for your grandmother. If you want some, you’ll have to ask her," Ye Fangfei said as she began pulling out items from the canvas bag she had brought home.
"Mother, these are pastries from Xiangshunzhai in Beijing that I bought for you. This is the sesame candy and peanut brittle that Zhicheng brought back from Tangcheng.
This wine is also a specialty from Tangcheng; I saved it for my father to enjoy. These apples were given to us by our unit, and this brown sugar and regular sugar were gifts from Zhicheng’s workplace.
These canned goods were also distributed by our unit; I brought them all for you to try. And this candy is what I bought for the kids—Mother, you can decide how much they can have."
As Ye Fangfei continued to pull items from the canvas bag, Wang Zhaodi and Zhang Man’s mouths dropped wider in astonishment. They couldn’t help but think, "Oh my goodness! So many good things? Did everything come from the third branch?"
The third branch truly lived up to their reputation as city folk—so generous! If it were them, they could never part with such fine items.
But there was more to come. After emptying one canvas bag, Ye Fangfei reached for another. She pulled out a pile of items: "Mother, these two pieces of corduroy fabric are for you and Father to each make a pair of trousers."
"This fabric is thick and warm; it looks good and keeps you cozy."
Tang Laotai watched as her daughter-in-law pulled out item after item with delight; her eyes squinted into slits of joy. Meanwhile, Wang Zhaodi and Zhang Man looked on with envy, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.
They had been envious of the food earlier too, but since it was meant for home, they could at least share a bite or two.
Even if they couldn't eat, their men and children would still be able to.
But this fabric was different; it was specifically designated for making clothes for the old couple by the family of the third son. No one else had a share in it.
This fabric was truly excellent; it looked thick and sturdy, clearly something only found in big cities. The supply and marketing cooperative in their county didn't sell anything like it.
If only this fabric could be given to them, Wang Zhaodi, who was straightforward and quick-tongued, couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my! This fabric is really nice!"
The color was so vibrant, and the material was substantial.
Da Bao and Bao Mian's jackets were too small now; it was time for a change. "Mother, what do you think about making a cotton jacket for Da Bao with this velvet fabric?"
"Get lost! Don't come here eyeing my things."
"This is a gift from the third son's wife to your father and me. I won't give it to anyone."
Old Lady Tang understood clearly that this was a gesture of respect from the third son's family towards them, and she couldn't give it away to anyone else. If she casually handed over something that was meant as a gift from the third son’s family to others, they would surely feel unhappy.
What if they stopped showing respect in the future? She wouldn't make such a foolish mistake.
Wang Zhaodi wasn't upset by the rebuke; she had grown accustomed to it. After all, speaking out had its benefits; even if she didn't get anything, she could at least voice her thoughts. If she could manage to get a piece of fabric, that would be a gain for her.
Even if she didn't receive anything, it didn't matter much; after all, she wasn't losing anything either.
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